ETYM Old Eng. beggerie. Related to Beggar.
A solicitation for money or food (especially in the street by an apparently penniless person); SYN. begging, mendicancy.
1. The condition of being a beggar
2. The practice of begging
ETYM Latin mendicitas: cf. French mendicité. Related to Mendicant.
The practice of begging; the life of a beggar; mendicancy.